Child Sex Abuse Perpetrators among Male University Students Kathryn Becker-Blease Washington State University Vancouver ABSTRACT Previous studies indicate that approximately 21% of undergraduate men report attraction to “little children”, 4 – 9 % report having fantasies about sex with a child, and 5 – 6% report masturbating to these fantasies. Between 3 and 7% report some likelihood of having sex with a child if there was no chance they would be caught (Briere & Runtz, 1989; Smiljanich & Briere, 1996). Understanding potential for perpetration among young adult men is important for prevention, but research on perpetration in non-convicted samples is limited. We asked 531 undergraduate men about their experiences with abuse as a child, as well as perpetration of child sexual abuse. Approximately 18% report fantasies about child sexual abuse and 8% have masturbated to these fantasies. Four percent indicate some likelihood that they would have sex with a child, and just over 2.5% report having perpetrated at least one sexually abusive act against a child. More students in this survey report fantasies about child sex than in past surveys, perhaps because of the increased availability of child pornography, or differences in willingness to admit such fantasies. The results are discussed in terms of the need for prevention programs that target potential and unrecognized perpetrators. To Prevent Sex Abuse… Participants • • • 531 male Psychology students Age M = 19.8, SD = 2.6 Race/ethnicity – White, non-Hispanic 77% – Asian 7% – Black, non-Hispanic 2% – Hispanic 3% – Native American 1% – Other 10% Perpetration Measure: Abuse Perpetration Inventory Implications Lisak et al. (2000) Resources for perpetrators and potential perpetrators lag behind those available to victims and potential victims. Sample item: Have you ever had sexual intercourse with someone, even though they did not want to, because they were too intoxicated (on alcohol or drugs) to resist your sexual advances (e.g., removing their clothes)? Only perpetrators can prevent violence. Future Directions Never, 1 time, 2-5 times, 6-20 times, 21-100 times, More than 100 times Links between early abuse (emotional, physical, sexual) and perpetration. Measures Anonymous survey included •Perpetration of physical and sexual abuse against children and intimate partners •Physical and sexual child victimization •Questions about attraction to sexual abuse of children and adults Plus these not presented here •Dissociation •Social desirability and empathy …we need research on sex offenders, not only victims. Because most abuse is never reported, we need research on hidden sex offenders in the community, not only convicted sex offenders. Daniel Friend and Jennifer J. Freyd University of Oregon Attraction Questions Similar to Briere & Runtz (1989) and Smiljanich & Briere (1996) Potential Perpetrators Prevention and intervention strategies. % Any N = 531 Perpetrated sexual abuse 2.6 Fantasies last 12 mos. 18 Masturbated to fantasies last 12 mos. 8 Any likelihood of sex with child if no one found out 4 Any likelihood of sex with unwilling adult if no one found out 14 “Little children attract me sexually.” 7 “I am afraid I may need to be institutionalized for my sexual impulses” 5 Community research with adolescents and older men. Works Cited Briere, J. & Runtz, M. (1989). University males’ sexual interest in children: predicting potential indices of “pedophilia” in a nonforensic sample. Child Abuse & Neglect, 13, 65-75. Lisak, D., Conklin, A., Hopper, J., Miller, P., Altschuler, L., & Smith, B. (2000). The Abuse-Perpetration Inventory: Development of an assessment instrument for research on the cycle of violence. Family Violence & Sexual Assault Bulliten, Spring - Summer, 21-30. Smiljanich, K. & Briere, J. (1996). Self-reported sexual interest in children: Sex differences and psychosocial correlates in a university sample. Violence and Victims, 11(1), 39-49. Sample Items Past Research • 21% of undergraduate men report attraction to “little children” • 4 – 9 % report having fantasies about sex with a child, • 5 – 6% report masturbating to these fantasies • Between 3 and 7% report some likelihood of having sex with a child if there was no chance they would be caught (Briere & Runtz, 1989; Smiljanich & Briere, 1996). “In the last 12 months, •how often have you had fantasies about sex with a child?” •how often have you masturbated during fantasies about sex with a child?” (Never, 1 time, 2-5 times, 6-20 times, 21-100 times, More than 100 times) “How likely is it that you would have sex with… if there were no chance that anyone would ever find out?” •a child •an adult against his or her will (5 pt scale, very unlikely … very likely) “Little children sometimes attract me sexually.” “I am afraid that I need to be institutionalized for protection against my own sexual impulse.” (5 pt scale, completely false…completely true) Comparison with Previous Studies Thank You Briere & Runtz (1989) N = 193 Smiljanich & Briere (1996) N = 99 This study N = 531 Attracted to little children 21% (7 pt scale) 22% (7 pt scale) 7% (5 pt scale) Child sex fantasies 9% 4% 18% (last 12 mos.) Masturbated during child sex fantasies 5% 6% 8% (last 12 mos.) Contact Information Any likelihood to have sex with child 7% 3% 4% Kathy Becker-Blease [email protected] This research has been supported by a grant from the Center for the Study of Women in Society at the University of Oregon and the UO Foundation Fund for Research on Trauma & Oppression. Thanks to Lisa DeMarni-Cromer and the Dynamics Lab. Presentation available: http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/fac/becker-b/ and at http://dynamic.uoregon.edu